We’re all wonderful, beautiful, and complicated beings. As a result of that, we need to raise the bar a tad and give our astrological makeup a little more substance.

All too many of us are led to believe that we represent ONE particular sign – which is referred to as our Sun Sign. The truth is that, each of us is indeed born with a special stamp that we refer to as our “sign.” But, it’s a mixture of more than just one piece of the Zodiac.

Now, Astrology can be complicated—I totally get it. Through my work, I’ve come to find that if I’m given the chance to break the “complication” down into the basics, it’s a lot easier to understand.

Basics of The Zodiac Signs

Basic #1: Our Sun Sign

A person’s Sun Sign or astrological label is simply the sign the Sun was living in at the time of our birth.Each individual sign connects us to other people born around the same time of the year. Many people born under the same Sun Sign will share some commonalities, and sometimes, feel a special connection to one another. It’s like being part of the same demographic.

The reason behind this sign identification has everything to do with the Sun’s movements. The Sun moves through each of the 12 signs of the Zodiac all throughout the calendar year. The sign that the Sun was living in at the precise time we were born determined what our Sun Sign was.

It’s like the hour hand of a clock tick tocking away, and every time the hour hand hits a new number, the signs change. Twelve numbers relating to each of the 12 signs.

Traditionally, the Sun lives in each sign for the same period each year – about a month or so. But it doesn’t remain precisely the same every single year. The beginning and end of each sign period can be a bit tricky as the signs are about to change. I have met all too many Pisces who went years thinking they were Aquarians!

For instance, a person born on December 21st, 2014 at 6 p.m. in New York City has a Sun sign of Sagittarius. If another person was born on the same day and place BUT three minutes later (approx. 6:03 PM), their Sun sign was in Capricorn.

Individuals born during these transitional periods are what I like to think as “two for one specials” given that the traits of two signs are running through them (the one that’s leaving and the one that’s coming into focus).

Every year, there is ALWAYS a specific time that the Sun transitions into the next sign. It’s not exact every calendar year.

Here’s an approximate list of the dates associated with the zodiac signs. If a birthday falls on the tail ends of the sign’s beginning or end, that person may be a two for one special.

Aries: March 21st – April 19th

Taurus: April 20th – May 20th

Gemini: May 21st – June 20th

Cancer: June 21st – July 22nd

Leo: July 23rd – August 22nd

Virgo: August 24d – September 22nd

Libra: September 23rd – October 22nd

Scorpio: October 23rd – November 21st

Sagittarius: November 22nd – December 21st

Capricorn: December 22nd – July 19th

Aquarius: January 20th – February 18th

Pisces: February 19th – March 20th

With each move into a new sign, a different influence and set of characteristics come into the forefront. All the new babies being born tend to pick up certain elements of the traits taking center stage. People’s personalities tend to sponge up the astrological influences as well.

For instance, when the Sun is living in the more disciplined sign of Capricorn (typically in January) most people tend to be more disciplined and goal oriented —think “New Year’s Resolutions.” There is also a frugality or “tightening of the purse strings” that comes with this territory.

People were happy to spend money during the holiday season, when the Sun was in the optimistic Sagittarius (December), but need to get more practical-minded in January, when the bills start coming in.

Basic #2: We’re NOT Just One Sign

Of course, only some will resonate deeply with the “general” characteristics of their sign. Others will poo poo their label saying they “in no way relate” to the generalities.

Personalities differ from all those supposed Sun Sign generalities all the time. For example, many people tend to characterize Leo as the sign with dramatic flair that always needs an audience. But all too often, I hear a Leo tell me, “I’m so shy.”

I’ve also heard more than quite a few Capricorns tell me “I’m a total rebel and never conform to the rules.” However, Capricorn is the sign that is supposed to be known for its strict and serious disciplined style.

How could all of these discrepancies be?

Given that we’re all such unique individuals, there is no way we can ALL be categorized in just 12 different ways. When individuals fall outside the box (which is more common than not) the true power of astrological insight is lost because it gets discounted. If we looked at our personal astrology a little deeper, we would come to see a whole lot more.

Astrology can be a tool that sheds a lot of light on WHO we are and WHY we operate in the way we do. It can also reveal the people we are naturally going to connect with, as well as those we probably won’t. However, all of its potential is lost if we don’t look at the full picture.

We need to toss away the thinking that we’re just ONE sign. It’s time to embrace the concept that we’re made up of several zodiac signs and their influences.

It all begins at the exact moment we are born and breathe our first breath. This is the point where our true story begins. At that time, the Sun was living in a particular sign, but there were 9 other planetary bodies that had something to say about us, too.

Each of those planets was living in a sign, as well, which is important to our personality:

The Sun shows how we shine.

The Moon reveals how we feel and where we run when we’re most stressed.

Mercury, the on-the-go planet, tells us how we communicate.

The lovely Venus, or planet that loves to love, shows where our heart lives and where we might get a little universal help.

Astrologically, Pluto is one of the most important planetary influences.

Basic #3: The Most Important Zodiac Influence – Our Rising Sign

I’ve decided to save the best zodiac influence for last. In my opinion, the most important factor in our Astrology is something called our Rising Sign. We’ve all got one, but not that many people talk about it. They are quicker to define themselves by their Sun Sign.

Our Rising Sign was the sign that was “waking up” or rising at the exact moment we were born. Interestingly enough, this sign is the one that describes us a lot more than our Sun sign does. The characteristics of our Rising Sign paint our façade – and when people first encounter us, they see those traits FIRST.

It’s really only when they get to know us that they can see our Sun Sign and how we choose to shine. Anyone can see our outer shell – but NOT everyone gets to see what’s on the other side.

Our Rising Sign, or Ascendant, is incredibly powerful when we think about how the Zodiac affects our personality. The characteristics of that sign can sometimes be much more powerful than the Sun sign itself.

So remember that shy Leo I mentioned earlier? Well, she’s actually a Cancer Rising and likes to tuck away in her shell away from the limelight. Only once she trusts her audience, does she let them in. It’s only at that point can those see her true creative and vibrant Leo side.

Then there was that rebellious Capricorn? Well, he’s an Aquarius Rising and showcases a very rebellious and unique streak to all he encounters. He has goals and aspirations like every Capricorn do, but they are in no way seen as the “norm.”

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To wrap it all up in a pretty package, I just want to reiterate how special we all are. All of the unique qualities that make us WHO we are come directly from the many different zodiac influences running through our personal astrology.

Each of the zodiac signs reveals how we exist in the world and what kinds of personality traits we have. It shows prominent influences as well as how we feel and where we are pushed to take a stand. Luck, challenges, and karma are also intertwined in our planetary story.

The placement of each planet and how they were talking to the other planets shows a lot about us, too.It’s a complicated and beautiful picture all about us. Once we start to look at it a little deeper, or have someone explain it us, a whole new world of revelations begin to come to life.

On a final note, I want to mention another important tip for all my horoscope readers. Better results will come if we read for our Rising Sign. We’ll likely find more accuracy by reading for the sign that sets our stage and then checking out what’s being said about our Sun sign.

So go ahead, find out your exact birth time, and begin the discovery process of finding out all the zodiac signs that affect you. To make it simple, start with your Rising Sign and see how Astrology works in a whole new way.

“Crystal B.” (or Crystal Bichalski) is the Astrologist and Astro Therapist behind Crystal B. Astrology. Her office is based in the metro New Jersey/New York area but she connects with people all over the world. To date, she has had consultations with people in over 27 different countries. She offers private & group readings, astrology classes, and parties/events. Astrology has always been part of her life since her dad is also an Astrologer. Connect with her and all her astrological insights on FaceBook, YouTube and Instagram. Sign up for her Free Monthly Newsletter and find out more about her “Modern Astrological Insight With a Twist”, monthly horoscopes, and simple learning tools all on Crystalbastrology.com.